Vanilla N’ice cream sandwiches & Giveaway

17.5.2016

The time has come!! The N’Ice Cream book about healthy vegan ice creams by me and Tuulia has come out today in the US. And I’m over the moon excited! The Finnish version of the book got sold out in a week here in Finland and I hope the international audience will love the English version just as much.

Several people have now said to me that the N’Ice Cream book feels like the ultimate summer saver for them, and that makes me sooo happy. Because that is exactly what this book was designed to be. To enable a feel-good summer with healthy, naturally sweetened and gluten-free vegan ice creams, ice pops, sorbets, soft serves, instant ice creams, ice cream cakes & cookies, waffle cones, sauces, jams and all that jazz. And also our very best tips on how to prepare delicious ice cream easily without an ice cream maker.

If you like to have more n’ice cream inspiration, come and follow our Instagram: @nicecreambook where we share pics & tips and give shout-outs to peoples beautiful nice cream creations. Be sure to tag your n’ice cream photos #nicecreambook and @nicecreambook so that we can see them!

And now, ladies and gents, I'm happy to introduce these treats I have for you: Lovely lovely Vanilla Chocolate N’ice cream Sandwiches that I made inspired by a couple of recipes from the N’Ice Cream book. They just might be the perfect summer snack. And the perfect way to celebrate the launch of our book. Note that you can always just skip the cookies and make the instant ice cream base and enjoy it with this super quick chocolate sauce, if your ice cream cravings won’t wait!

And then there’s still one more thing: A giveaway! I’m giving away one copy of the N’Ice Cream book. Just write a short hello and why you would like this book to the comments below and you’re in! You’ve got time to participate until midnight Sunday the 22nd of May. And the giveaway is this time open to US, Canada & Finland. Good luck, my friends!

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VANILLA N'ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Vanilla N'Ice Cream Sandwiches

About 4 big or 6 small pieces

Vanilla n’ice cream:

3 ripe bananas (frozen)

1 can full-fat coconut milk (kept in a fridge overnight)

½ tsp vanilla powder

Slice bananas into smaller pieces and put into the blender. Open a coconut milk can and scoop the white thick paste (about 2/3 cup) into the blender with bananas. Add vanilla. Mix until smooth. If your blender is not very powerful prepare the ice cream in two baches. Pour the ice cream mixture in a large freezer-safe tin and freeze for about 15-30 minutes. In the meantime prepare the cookies.

Chocolate Cookies:

1 cup almond flour

1 cup oat flour

4 tbsp raw cocoa powder

3 tbsp flax meal

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp vanilla powder

8 tbsp water

3 tbsp coconut oil, melted

4 tbsp maple syrup or coconut syrup

Preheat the oven to 175 C / 350 F degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add water and melted coconut oil and syrup. Mix. The dough should be now easily moldable. Add a bit more water or flour if needed. You should be able to make a big ball out of the dough with your hands.

Place a dough ball between two pieces of parchment paper. Roll out to ½ inch thickness. Cut the dough into rectangles with a knife or use a cookie mold. Place the cookies gently on a baking tray covered with a baking sheet. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely. The cookies can be a bit soft when you take them from the oven because they will get crispier as they cool.

Chocolate frosting:

½ cup coconut oil, melted

3 tbsp raw cocoa powder

2 tbsp coconut syrup

Mix the melted coconut oil, cocoa powder and coconut syrup in a small bowl.

Assembly:
Scoop about two spoonfuls of the ice cream and place it on the back side of one cookie. Place another cookie on top of the ice cream and press down gently. Repeat with the remaining cookies. Drip some chocolate frosting on top on the sandwiches and sprinkle some shredded coconut on. Freeze for 30-60 minutes. Enjoy!

Vanilla N’Ice Cream Sandwiches

About 4 big or 6 small pieces

Vanilla n’ice cream:

3 ripe bananas (frozen)

1 can full-fat coconut milk (kept in a fridge overnight)

½ tsp vanilla powder

Slice bananas into smaller pieces and put into the blender. Open a coconut milk can and scoop the white thick paste (about 2/3 cup) into the blender with bananas. Add vanilla. Mix until smooth. If your blender is not very powerful prepare the ice cream in two baches. Pour the ice cream mixture in a large freezer-safe tin and freeze for about 15-30 minutes. In the meantime prepare the cookies.

Chocolate Cookies:

1 cup almond flour

1 cup oat flour

4 tbsp raw cocoa powder

3 tbsp flax meal

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp vanilla powder

8 tbsp water

3 tbsp coconut oil, melted

4 tbsp maple syrup or coconut syrup

Preheat the oven to 175 C / 350 F degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add water and melted coconut oil and syrup. Mix. The dough should be now easily moldable. Add a bit more water or flour if needed. You should be able to make a big ball out of the dough with your hands.

Place a dough ball between two pieces of parchment paper. Roll out to ½ inch thickness. Cut the dough into rectangles with a knife or use a cookie mold. Place the cookies gently on a baking tray covered with a baking sheet. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely. The cookies can be a bit soft when you take them from the oven because they will get crispier as they cool.

Chocolate frosting:

½ cup coconut oil, melted

3 tbsp raw cocoa powder

2 tbsp coconut syrup

Mix the melted coconut oil, cocoa powder and coconut syrup in a small bowl.

Assembly:
Scoop about two spoonfuls of the ice cream and place it on the back side of one cookie. Place another cookie on top of the ice cream and press down gently. Repeat with the remaining cookies. Drip some chocolate frosting on top on the sandwiches and sprinkle some shredded coconut on. Freeze for 30-60 minutes. Enjoy!

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Albkino31.7.2016 01:54

Could this be the answer? After years of doctor prescribed (incredibly strict) regimens/protocols and "diets", I'm now able to eat some real food...the catch, I'm still very restricted as to what foods. Sweets have been off the table for so long I've almost forgotten what they're like! Not only that, naturally my taste buds and tastes for food have changed. Having discovered Virpi through Vogue.com, I'm thinking there could be a birthday treat in the not too distant future - dreams of scrumptious, yet healthy, treats dance in my head!rnrn

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Sheri1.8.2016 18:43

OMG, your recipes look so amazing! I just heard of your work today, and am so excited about your recipes. I've had to eliminate so many foods over the last few years after having reached a real health crisis, and I know that dairy, gluten, and refined sugar will never be part of my life again. I'm currently detoxing from heavy metal exposure, and am on a strict program for about another 3 weeks, but when I come off of that, your recipes would be my pleasure oasis after a long drought in the desert. Would love your N'Ice Cream Cookbook!

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Sheri1.8.2016 18:43

OMG, your recipes look so amazing! I just heard of your work today, and am so excited about your recipes. I've had to eliminate so many foods over the last few years after having reached a real health crisis, and I know that dairy, gluten, and refined sugar will never be part of my life again. I'm currently detoxing from heavy metal exposure, and am on a strict program for about another 3 weeks, but when I come off of that, your recipes would be my pleasure oasis after a long drought in the desert. Would love your N'Ice Cream Cookbook!

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Hanna18.5.2016 23:09

Virpi ja Tuulia, I am a huge fan of you two !rnYour work.. that is so fascinating and sincere. It´s clear that you two are working with pure passion. rnI want to say thank you for your inspiring work.rnrn<3rnrnI really wish I would be the lucky winner of N'Ice Cream book, and if not, I am going to purchase it anyway. ASAP. Because: My summer holiday (part one) starts on Friday !!

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Hanna18.5.2016 23:09

Virpi ja Tuulia, I am a huge fan of you two !rnYour work.. that is so fascinating and sincere. It´s clear that you two are working with pure passion. rnI want to say thank you for your inspiring work.rnrn<3rnrnI really wish I would be the lucky winner of N'Ice Cream book, and if not, I am going to purchase it anyway. ASAP. Because: My summer holiday (part one) starts on Friday !!

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Lantana19.5.2016 13:19

SO excited about this book!! And this recipe. Oh my goodness. Finally. An excuse to eat ice cream sandwiches without feeling like I need to go run 10 miles afterwards. Normally "junk food" doesn't appeal to me, but for some reason, any time those classic square paper-wrapped ice cream sandwiches (you know, the kind that are probably full of preservatives, chemicals, etc.) occupy a box in the freezer or are anywhere in sight, I'm toast. Maybe it's the fact that they are wrapped up perfectly like little presents. I don't know. Anyways- I think that is why I would so love to have this cookbook. I was at first shocked and then positively elated to know that there is a simple way to make wholesome, nutritious ice cream and feel fantastic about it!! N'ice Cream is lovely gift to the world, and I would love love love to have it:)

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Elina20.5.2016 09:59

I'm trying to become vegan little by little and replacing ice creams has been one big question mark, especially now when the weather is warming up here n Finland. Thanks to these sneak peaks from your book I'm convinced it can be done! Would love to try out all the great recipes :)

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Rachel18.5.2016 23:08

My almost 3 year old is obsessed with ice cream .... or should I say "Nice Cream" ... I love how her eyes light up when I bring her a frozen stick of goodness and it makes me smile knowing that her dessert is healthy and working its magic in her growing body. I'm fighting an autoimmune disease myself and having my beautiful little girl and now knowing what I do about health I am determined to teach her to eat the right way and avoid the pain I've been through. Thank you for writing a beautiful book. I cannot wait to get a copy and try them out on Aimée. Imagine if every mother did the same how much healthier the next generation would be. When healthy food is also fun it makes all the difference.

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Carro18.5.2016 18:50

I would love to receive att copy of your book. I've just started some new habits by cutting out sugar,dairy product and gluten. So it would be wondrful to get some inspiration for some ice creams ecspecially since the summer is around the corner!!

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Diana20.5.2016 11:13

I have a constant craving for ice creams nowadays,thanks to your posts :), and am finally going to buy a blender to be able to test your recepies! I would looove to have the ice cream book! Am a big fan of your Kiitos hyvää pikaruokaa -book already :)

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Maja22.5.2016 18:38

Hi! Me and my two girls would love to have this book to be able to make and enjoy delish coolness on hot summer days and comfort delights for dark winter nights. Thank you and looking forward to more good stuff in the future!

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Mari22.5.2016 18:44

Oh my, how badly I would like to get that book! I have never made any kind of ice cream and I REALLY would like to try. I haven't got the chance to try yet and I think that book would be the key :)rnrnAnd I'm loving your blog!

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siru20.5.2016 11:17

Omg everything you have posted from this book looks so good and beautiful. I have your Kiitos hyvää -book and I love it. Ice cream is part of summer, you need to have lots and lots of it. How super it would be to eat this lots and lots of ice cream in a much more healthy form than the one you buy in the store.

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nibrylla22.5.2016 16:37

Hi, I've only recently found the whole n'ice cream-thing and tried it out with banana, peanut butter and cashews. I was blown away how ice-creamy it tasted!rnSince my own experiments don't usually work out that well, I'd kill for a chance to get this book! :p

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Johanna17.5.2016 21:54

I would love to have this to offer my girls something better than ice creams from grocery store. I love ice cream but lactose free ice creams aren't so tasty, not in Finland anyway. Good luck with your book, looks beautiful and tasty!

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LauraLove17.5.2016 23:20

Hello hello!rnI looooove your posts, recipes, style and pictures: they are inspiring and lovely and just plain gorgeous~~rnrnI would love to spend the summertime making and tasting and exploring every recipe in your new book (twice! obviously more lol)!!rn

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Silja17.5.2016 22:36

Hi! I would love to be the one to get the book because I love making banana treats and white sugarfree food, all your recipes look fantastic and I would so much enjoy introducing this kind of new, different and healthier goodies to my friends and relatives. So, in short, I would like to get this book because of love :'D

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Amanda17.5.2016 18:19

Ooh! Your book would be amazing, since my young daughter is a banana hoarder! She always insists on buying bananas from the store, but she rarely eats them... I've tried every recipe that I know, and frankly I'm getting tired of bananas

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Azia Fitzgibbon17.5.2016 19:58

Hello Ms. Mikkonen :) My name is Azia, I am 18 years old and I live in California. I am currently taking a food science class at my high school and we are learning about dairy right now. I used to love dairy but lately I haven't been enjoying the taste of it. So I thought I could try some alternatives which would benefit me and the environment as well. I've been wanting to become a vegan since my freshman year in high school, but my parents usually cook our dinners with a lot of animal products. I am now a senior and I think I am ready to start making my change. I've been looking at your Instagram feed a lot and I have to say, your recipes look absolutely delicious and I am so excited to try them! As a senior in high school, getting ready for college, I will want to learn how to cook and bake my own food, especially healthy food. I want to experience the vegan lifestyle and if I like it, I will continue to do it. I really hope I can get your new book, it would be such an adventure for me to try your amazing looking recipes :)